New ‘Art at the Grill’ exhibition opens Dec. 6

Works by East Boothbay’s Lina Burley included in this show
Mon, 11/28/2016 - 7:15pm

Story Location:
155 Main Street
Damariscotta, ME 04543
United States

Just in time for the holidays! A new show opens at Damariscotta River Grill Tuesday, Dec. 6 showcasing three New England artists - Lina Burley (East Boothbay) and from Massachusetts - Joy Linder and Lee Rowan.  The "Art at the Grill" opening reception is Wednesday, Dec. 7, from 4-5:30 p.m. Stop in and enjoy beautiful art while savoring an array of delicious hors d'oeuvres. The show will hang until Jan.24

 About the artists

Lina Burley (1922-2005) was a well-known area artist from East Boothbay. The artist's lyrical landscape paintings combine fluid brushstrokes with minimalist forms to convey the energy and essence of coastal Maine. In her words:  "Living on the coast of Maine, surrounded by the beauty of the landscape and the alternate turmoil and quietness of the sea, I have for many years been dedicated to painting these natural forms, simplifying and altering the obvious scenery in an attempt to capture the atmosphere and essence of this special place."
 
Burley’s watercolors and oils were exhibited in many local venues, most prominently at the Maine Art Gallery in Wiscasset (with which she was associated for many years), and at the Farnsworth Museum in Rockland. Two of her works are part of the permanent collection of the Portland Museum of Art. Lina Burley was the recipient of numerous awards, including a National Association of Women Artists medal of honor for her watercolors. She was a student of the famed Art Students League in New York City from 1956 to 1962. She also served twice as president of the Boothbay Region Art Foundation.
 
Joy Linder is a Massachusetts based artist who loves exploring the back roads of New England finding inspiration from the rural landscapes she discovers along the way.  Working primarily in watercolor for the past 25 years, her style is very detailed with a strong emphasis on color, light and shadow.
 
"I love the variations of color and pattern found in cast shadows and am always intrigued by how the intensity of sunlight transforms an ordinary subject into an amazing one,” Linder said. “I use many layers of glazes to gradually build up color and contrast. I love the luminous qualities of transparent watercolor and how it allows the white of the paper to radiate through the paint.
 
“My abstract work contrasts from my representational paintings in that it allows me the freedom to add a more personal, emotional element into my work. I never know how a painting will evolve.  I find working to create a unified, cohesive design with just water, pigment and a variety of found objects to be an exciting challenge.  The results are always unexpected." 
 
Lee Rowan is a contemporary realistic painter, working in oils and pastels. Her paintings are noted for their delicate and restrained color treatment and compositions, which are often reduced to their key elements for purposes of pure design.  Her subject matter ranges from old boats, Maine lighthouses, still lifes of fruits and vegetables, and Rowan’s favorite subject, nests and eggs.
 
Rowan studied art at Skidmore College and worked as a needlepoint designer. Many of the floral canvases she designed were inspirations for later paintings. Her work is part of private collections as well as the Lancaster Art Museum in Lancaster Pennsylvania.

Call the Damariscotta River Grill for more information at 562-2992. The Grill is located at 155 Main Street, Damariscotta, and is open seven days for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch.